Session 2: Jesus, Atonement and Salvation
From Week 1 Does God make exclusive claims about himself? If so, examples?
Our Time Together 1)Pray 2)Ask the Five Questions 3)Teaching 4) Group Reflection
What is Jesus relationship to God? What is the significance of the Incarnation? What happened on the Cross? What was the result of the Resurrection? What is salvation/how are we saved?
What is Jesus relationship to God? Four Christological Councils Ultimate Conclusion: Jesus is: Truly Divine-Truly Human-Truly One
Truly Divine Four Key Texts: John 1:1-8; Phil 2:5-11; Col 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4 Other Texts
Truly Divine Ebionite Heresy Jesus the Genius Arian Heresy Jesus made by God Begotten not made Jesus is NOT a creature
Only God can create, therefore only God can re-create. Because man sinned, they were threatened by nothingness again, and need to be saved from this threat. Only God (Jesus) could redeem (re-create) us into right relationship. Athanasius
What is the significance of the Incarnation? Truly Human - Like us in every respect, yet without sin Biblical Basis: 1 John 1:1-3; Hebrews 2:1-10 and 4:15; Gal 4:4; Mark 6:3
Docetic Heresy Jesus only seemed to be human The unassumed is the unhealed. It is what is united to God that is saved. Gregory of Naziansus
What is the significance of the Incarnation? Redemption at its finest John 1:12-13 Q: Does God really care? Revelation at its clearest John 1:18 Q: What is God really like?
What happened on The Cross? The Cross is the scarlet thread that runs through the whole garment of existence if a spotlight from Mars was pointed at the most important place on our planet, it would fall upon a hill called Calvary. E Stanley Jones
What happened on The Cross? The Atonement of Christ is the sacrificial work of Jesus for sinners. In his death on the cross, Christ atoned for the sins of humanity such that God is satisfied and reconciliation is accomplished for all who will be redeemed. The obedience and death of Christ on behalf of sinners is the ground of redemption.
What happened on The Cross? Christ s death makes our salvation possible. At-One-Ment
What happened on The Cross? Major theories of atonement: Classic (ransom) Theory Satisfaction Theory Moral Influence Theory
What happened on The Cross? Who did Jesus die for? Limited Atonement Not all Unlimited Atonement - All
What was the result of the Resurrection? For Jesus? 1 Peter 3:18-22
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you [ to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but MADE ALIVE in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, through baptism to a new life that saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God 1 Peter 3:18-22
What was the result of the Resurrection? Intercession Ascent Resurrection Descent
What was the result of the Resurrection? For Us? HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!
What was the result of the Resurrection? Justice fulfilled - Justice requires the humble be exalted (Luke 1:52)
What was the result of the Resurrection? Confirmation of Faith (2 Cor 13:4) the redemptive value of his death is made plain to us by his REZ. God s way of demonstrating the defeat of death.
What was the result of the Resurrection? Personal Hope (1 Cor 15:2) It gives believers hope that they too will rise again.
What was the result of the Resurrection? Apocalyptic Hope To understand the resurrection is to understand the meaning of history from its end.
What was the result of the Resurrection? Power Jesus/Atonement/Salvation Authority made clear GO! (Matt 28) Power to live now eternity has begun so we can die to sin and get busy living (Rom 6:4)
What was the result of the Resurrection? Power Jesus/Atonement/Salvation Authority made clear GO! (Matt 28) Power to live now eternity has begun so we can die to sin and get busy living (Rom 6:4)
What was the result of the Resurrection? First Day of week - Sunday worship is the continuing testimony of the church every week to the centrality of the resurrection.
What is salvation/how are we saved? simple Jeff def: the work and nature of Christ applied to your sinful life by grace. Soteriology study of salvation (from Greek word sozo )
What is salvation/how are we saved? Order of Salvation (from a distinctly Wesleyan perspective)
Order of Salvation Prevenient Grace: grace that comes before
Order of Salvation Convincing Grace: the more grace given by God to lead to salvation through: conviction of sin, repentance, fruit of repentance, confession of sin
Order of Salvation Saving Grace: grace is the basis of all salvation: Restoration of right relationship w/god Transformation of individual
Order of Salvation Assurance of Salvation: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 1 John 5:13 Witness of God s Spirit Witness of Our Own Spirit (Romans 8:14-16)
Order of Salvation Growth in Grace Progressive Sanct: Growth in image of God and likeness to ChristWitness of God s Spirit Obedience to His Rule Maintaining Purity Maintaining Forgiveness Jesus/Atonement/Salvation Conviction of Sinfulness (ongoing problem/greater awareness of sinfulness)
Order of Salvation Sanctifying Grace: Entire Sanctification Total Surrender Complete Separation from Sin Fullness of Spirit Perfect Love Continued Growth in Grace
Order of Salvation Glorification: Jesus/Atonement/Salvation Final Transformation Resurrection life fully realized Eternal fellowship with God Final Redemption/Heaven
Homework What if Jesus did NOT: Come for us? (incarnation) Die for us? (cross/atonement) Rise from the dead for us? (resurrection) Express your gratitude creatively